🔧 Front Brake Pads - Replacement

Your Accord’s front pads are a normal wear item. Replacing them restores stopping power, reduces noise, and helps protect the rotors from damage.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a level surface and chock the rear wheels.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• Use jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• Keep grease off the brake rotor and pad friction material.
• If the brake fluid reservoir is full, compress the caliper slowly so fluid does not overflow.
• No battery disconnect is required for this job.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm lug wrench
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Ratchet
• Torque wrench
• Brake caliper compression tool (specialty)
• Bungee cord
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Brake grease
• Gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Front pad hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1 can
• Brake grease - Qty: 1 tube

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Put the transmission in neutral if needed, then chock the rear wheels.
• Loosen the front lug nuts slightly before lifting the car.
• Make sure the new pads match the old pads before starting.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise the front of the car

• Use the floor jack to lift the front of the car at the correct jacking point.
• Support it with jack stands placed at the proper support points.
• Remove the wheel using the 19mm lug wrench.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use a 14mm socket and ratchet to remove the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket carefully.
• Hang the caliper with a bungee cord so the brake hose is not stretched.

Step 3: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Pull the old brake pads out of the caliper bracket by hand.
• Remove the stainless pad clips from the bracket.
• Tip: Note how the clips sit before removal.

Step 4: Inspect and clean the bracket

• Use a flat-blade screwdriver and wire brush to clean rust and debris from the bracket.
• Spray the bracket with brake cleaner and let it dry.
• Inspect the rotor surface for heavy grooves, cracking, or deep rust.

Step 5: Service the slide pins

• Remove the slide pins if needed and wipe them clean.
• Apply a thin coat of brake grease to the slide pins and rubber contact points.
• Make sure the pins move smoothly before reassembly.

Step 6: Compress the caliper piston

• Use the brake caliper compression tool (specialty) to push the piston back into the caliper slowly and evenly.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing.
• Tip: Compress slowly to avoid seal damage.

Step 7: Install the new pads

• Install the new pad clips into the caliper bracket.
• Apply a small amount of brake grease to the pad ears and contact points only.
• Install the new front brake pads in the bracket.

Step 8: Reinstall the caliper

• Slide the caliper back over the new pads.
• Install the slide pin bolts with a 14mm socket.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Reinstall the wheel

• Put the wheel back on and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the car and use the 19mm lug wrench to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Repeat on the other side

• Replace the pads on the opposite front wheel using the same steps.
• Tip: Always replace brake pads in pairs.

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off if needed.
• Test the brakes slowly at low speed first.
• Expect a short pad break-in period.
• Listen for rubbing or clicking sounds and recheck the hardware if needed.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $220-$420 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $60-$140 (parts only)

You Save: $160-$280 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1-2 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.